Urgent need

Fairfield mother of three Herlean Younce created a GoFundMe campaign online to help pay for insulin she needs to manage her Type II diabetes She has worked at the IRS office in Covington for nearly 30 years.

Younce's salary as an agent specializing in nonprofits typically covers the difference between what insurance pays and her out of pocket expense.

Miller said her landlord has agreed to allow her to pay rent in two installments in February if needed.

"Over the last week I've spent about $35 on groceries," she said. Her normal grocery bill is about $100.

Eating soup

Mary and Kevin Dallas met at the IRS where they have both worked for more than 18 years. They're sending a daughter to the private Holy Cross High School in Covington. The Catholic school has allowed them to delay monthly tuition payments, said Kevin, a human resources specialist.

The Latonia neighborhood residents received deferrals for many of their monthly bills, he said. Duke Energy offered to put them on even billing. The family already was on even billing to spread higher cost monthly utility payments evenly over the course of a year.

They've dipped into savings. They are eating soup and stews that provide leftovers instead of eating out about four times a week, he said. They are not certain they will be able to pay the next Duke bill when it comes Feb. 1.

Feeling trapped

Westwood residents Becky and Justin Culver are both IRS workers. They are dipping into savings, she said.

Groceries are going to credit cards, said the IRS call site manager. She's worked at IRS for 18 years.

Both of them were told they didn't have to report back after saying doing so would create a financial hardship, she said.

Married IRS employees Becky Ayers Culver and Justin Culver, seen at Smale Riverfront Park in Cincinnati, are among the 800,000 federal workers going without a paycheck during the government shutdown.(Photo: Becky Ayers Culver/Provided)

"For my husband, he feels tied to his job because he is in the student loan forgiveness program so he feels like he should wait it out," she said. "For me, I am going to college for accounting and my tuition rate is based on my government employment so we both feel stuck."

For now, they are going through clothes to sell them for consignment. They are selling DVDs and books. Things found in the basement are being put on Facebook's marketplace instead of having a yard sale, she said.

"I don't think people realize how demoralizing it is to be in this position and I wish they did, or that they cared more," Culver said.